E2024-G174

The Three Loyal Subjects of Gwangju: Go Gyeong-myeong, Kim Deok-ryeong, and Jeon Sang-ui

Narrative

The Three Loyal Subjects of Gwangju, namely, Go Gyeong-myeong (1533-1592), Kim Deok-ryeong (1567-1596), and Jeon Sang-ui (1576-1627), are Gwangju natives who fought in the Japanese invasion of 1592-1598 and the Manchu invasion of 1627 during the Joseon period (1392-1910).

Go Gyeong-myeong was a civil official and civilian army commander. Go Gyeong-myeong served as the magistrate of Dongnae (today’s Busan area). When Japan invaded Korea in 1592, he organized a civilian army of over 6,000 troops. Go and his two sons heroically died fighting the invaders, with Go losing his life at the Battle of Geumsan.

Kim Deok-ryeong was a leader of a civilian army during the Japanese invasions (1592-1598). After Kim Deok-hong was killed in a battle against the Japanese in 1592, Kim Deok-ryeong mobilized a civilian army to prevent a Japanese advance to the Jeolla-do area. He defeated the Japanese army in Geojedo Island in 1594 and the Goseong area in 1595. However, he was falsely accused of being involved in the rebellion in 1596 and died from harsh torture in jail. However, in 1661, his honor was posthumously reinstated. In 1785, King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800) bestowed Kim Deok-ryeong with the posthumous title of Chungjang (忠將), meaning “Loyal Commander,” in recognition of his loyalty. Chungjang-ro Road in Gwangju is named after him.

Jeon Sang-ui was a military official. He passed the state examination in 1603 and began his military career. Jeon died during the Manchu invasion of 1627 in the Battle of Anjuseong Fortress, an important stronghold in the northwest part of the Korean Peninsula. The enemy troops were moved by Jeon’s resolve to fight to the death, and, believing that a patriotic martyr’s body should be handled with care, made a separate grave for him marked with his name. After the war, Jeon’s body was returned to Gwangju and formally buried here.

Go is venerated at Pochungsa Shrine and commemorated for his patriotic loyalty at the Commemorative Pavilion of the Jangheung Go Clan. Kim is venerated at Chungjangsa Shrine and commemorated for his patriotic loyalty at the Commemorative Pavilion of Chunghyo-dong, respectively. Jeon is commemorated at Chungminsa Shrine, which is located near his tomb.

Story Map

• Heroic Legacies: From Joseon Loyalty to Independence Fighters
  • The Three Loyal Subjects of Gwangju: Go Gyeong-myeong, Kim Deok-ryeong, and Jeon Sang-ui
  • Leading the Community in Times of Peace and War: Go Gyeong-myeong
  • Gwangju’s Patriotic Martyr: General Jeon Sang-ui
  • Jeong Ji and Jeong Chung-sin: A Family Legacy of Military Valor
  • Kim Tae-won and the Anti-Japanese Civilian Armies